ENGINEERS who helped build Torness Power Station more than 40 years ago have returned to the nuclear power plant.

Construction of the power station began in 1980 for what was then South of Scotland Electricity Board (SSEB).

Power was first generated from the plant, near Dunbar, in 1988.

Each of the seven returning engineers now live in the county.

Sandy Mackay (of Dunbar), Ronnie Pearman (Haddington), Frank Hill (Dunbar), Robert Makin (East Linton), Keith Burns (East Linton), Dave Bertram (Haddington) and Mick Starr (Dunbar) joined David Morris, who was the SSEB’s Torness construction site manager from 1980 to 1988, on a trip down memory lane.

The group had previously worked together at Peterhead and remained friends.

'An honour'

Paul Forrest, station director, was delighted to welcome the group. He said: “It was one of the most enjoyable visits I have ever hosted and it was an honour to meet a group who have contributed so much to the industry.”

The visit offered the retirees the chance to reminisce about a busy period.

Mr Morris, who is a former site manager, said: “Returning to Torness at the kind invitation of the station director brought back tremendous recollections of the past.

“More than 40 years ago, a team of site engineers was set up on behalf of the SSEB to oversee and monitor the construction of the power station and it is so enjoyable to see some of them here today.

“We have shared a very impressive tour of the operating station.”

Since it came online in 1988, Torness has generated enough zero-carbon electricity to power every single home in Scotland for 28 years.

It has also brought highly skilled, well-paid jobs to the local area and employed thousands of people since 1980.

The nuclear power station, now managed by EDF, is expected to stop generating power in 2028.

Despite that deadline approaching, Mr Forrest was confident that Torness would continue to make a huge contribution to the Scottish energy mix and to the local community over the coming years.

He added: “We’ve got a fantastic asset and the power we generate offers something really special given the UK’s net-zero ambition.”